By Olugbenga Salami
Legal practitioner, Blessing Agbomhere has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), against fellow lawyer, Deji Adeyanju over alleged professional misconduct.
In the petition received on November 2, 2026, Agbomhere accused Adeyanju of violating professional ethics through intemperate, unsubstantiated and disparaging comments against senior members of the Bar.
He cited Adeyanju’s reported description of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other senior lawyers in the National Assembly as “political bandits” during an interaction with journalists in February 2026.
Agbomhere also accused the activist lawyer of repeatedly calling the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a thief without evidence or court conviction, arguing that such comments violate standards of civility, decorum, respect for seniority and professional conduct expected of lawyers.
He said Adeyanju’s public criticisms of Akpabio and Wike went beyond legitimate activism and amounted to disrespect and conduct unbecoming of a legal practitioner.
The petition also raised Adeyanju’s role in the controversy over sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
According to Agbomhere, Adeyanju initially supported the senator and threatened to petition foreign diplomatic missions, but later urged her to provide evidence or withdraw the claims.
He described the shift as inconsistent and raising questions about Adeyanju’s professional judgment.
Agbomhere said he attached newspaper publications and video recordings of Adeyanju’s media engagements as exhibits to support the allegations.
He maintained that lawyers must exercise restraint in public commentary, especially when alleging wrongdoing against fellow practitioners, warning that unsubstantiated accusations undermine public confidence in the profession.
He urged the LPDC to investigate and exercise disciplinary powers, citing alleged violations of Rules 1, 26(1), 26(2) and 27(1) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners.
The petition asks the committee to require Adeyanju to respond and explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him, to protect the integrity of the Bar.
